How to grow Hibiscus
How to grow Hibiscus
Hibiscus (Hibiscus L., 1754) is a genus of plants in the Malvaceae family that includes about 240 species. In this sheet we will see how to grow Hibiscus and what are the most suitable techniques in our environments. Obviously the cultivation of the Ibiscus has ornamental purposes and purposes being a very appreciated plant both outside and inside. The plant is deciduous, so it loses the leaves during autumn and in cold areas can be grown indoors, while in regions with mild climate can also be grown outside. However, there are some evergreen varieties. For the cultivation of the hibiscus take into account that it is a plant that loves a lot of light and heat with exposure directly to the sun’s rays and long summers. In different conditions it can survive but low light and short and mild summers are reflected in the flowering that becomes much smaller. These inflorescences have a color that varies from red, to yellow, to pink and orange. The petals of the flower can be single or double depending on the variety and flowering takes place during the summer season. There are varieties of hibiscus more resistant to winter cold.
In outdoor cultivations (ie in areas of southern Italy) choose an airy and sunny condition, prepare a 50 x 50 x 50 hole where you place the young seedling along with some well-ripened manure or compost or earthworm humus. This will allow a better and faster growth of the plant. the irrigations must be carried out especially during the rooting and juvenile phase, then the irrigations must be carried out only in dry soil conditions and therefore with much larger shifts. As for the pedological needs, the hibiscus plant has great adaptability; even in poor and stony soils they can grow well on condition that no stagnation occurs. If the cultivation takes place in pot then it is advisable to choose a wide and deep container, with medium organic soil and expanded clay on the bottom to facilitate the draining of water and having the foresight to repot it every 3 years approximately (always maintaining the same type of substrate ) in the spring period. For the propagation of the hibiscus, the technique of the hibiscus is recommended (if it is desired to perpetuate a certain variety). The semi-woody cutting should be buried in spring in a mixture of sand and peat.
Among the adversities the most boring are those due to aphids and mites. The former, especially during the spring period can create real problems (as we then set up fagots and ants). For this reason, instantaneous spraying with Marseille soap must be carried out on the first extras. The best technique, however, to avoid these incredible infestations is to not use synthetic nitric fertilizers that make plants more florid but also much more vulnerable. As for pruning, these must be limited to the aesthetic factor: branches or twigs and dried flowers must be eliminated and, in the limit, a very light internal ventilation. In a domestic environment, potted plants should be nebulized frequently with demineralized water.